BoE’s Marchman poses novel idea: Lower taxes

‘Nobody complains about their taxes’ — Leonard Presberg, Post 5, BoE

Colwell, Basham, Presberg oppose lowering millage rate; push for lower class sizes, higher teacher pay

Fayette County Board of Education member Barry Marchman went out on a limb at the May 18 meeting and suggested something not mentioned in a board meeting for the past few years — that the board consider reducing the millage rate from the current state maximum of 20 mills.

The school system has continued to lose students since it experienced an enrollment high of 22,367 students in the 2006-2007 school year. Enrollment last year was 20,166 while enrollment figures reported by the school system for late April showed 20,127 students.

It was during the budget discussion at the May 18 meeting that Marchman made the suggestion.

Marchman said he recently looked at a number of high-performing school systems and found that they spend approximately $8,300 per student. Fayette is close to that number, Marchman said, noting that with the proposed millions of dollars of increases in the FY 2016 budget would put the school system’s per pupil spending at approximately $9,100.

“That’s out of line with where we need to be,” Marchman said.

Superintendent Jody Barrow in response said the school system has been asked to lower the teacher-student ratios which is expensive, adding that he needs to get direction on the issue from the school board. Barrow said the question is whether the school system has the revenue to address the issue.

Marchman responded, saying, “Anything north of $8,500 is too much and we have E-SPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax for education). Maybe it’s time to consider a millage reduction.”

Marchman’s suggestion to consider lowering the millage rate from the current 20 mills generated comments from others on the school board.

Board member Leonard Presberg said parents have told him they want smaller class sizes.

“Nobody complains about their taxes,” Presberg said. “I think people have been clear about what they want.”

Presberg said there may be some question about some of the new positions proposed for the $184.7 million budget for FY 2016, though he thought that, overall, those allotments were appropriate.

“The millage is something we take,” Marchman responded. “Is it prudent to take the maximum allowed by law?”

Board member Dan Colwell also weighed in on the conversation.

“I think our teachers’ salary is one of the lowest in metro Atlanta. I think we should do all we can to increase them,” said Colwell. “I think we’re playing catch-up so I’m not sure it’s time to lower the millage.”

Presberg then added that he does not want the school system to be average.

Those comments were followed by Colwell saying he would be glad to pay more taxes to continue to provide excellent educational opportunities in Fayette County.

Also commenting was board member Diane Basham.

“What I hear is that the community wants reduced class sizes,” Basham said.

Marchman agreed that “we want smaller class sizes and competitive pay.”

It was at that point that the discussion on the millage rate ended and the board continued with the discussion on aspects of the preliminary budget that will be adopted in June.

The preliminary FY 2016 budget that begins in July is currently positioned at $184.7 million. The FY 2015 budget as adopted is $170.4 million.

It is of note that the school system millage rate in Forsyth County, arguably the state’s top school system, is currently at 16.3 mills.